直隸有巨家，欲延師。忽一秀才，踵門自薦。主人延入。詞語開爽，遂相知悅。秀才自言胡氏，遂納贄館之。胡課業良勤，淹洽非下士等。然時出游，輒昏夜始歸；扃閉儼然，不聞款叩而已在室中矣。遂相驚以狐。然察胡意固不惡，優重之，不以怪異廢禮。
直隸有一戶大戶人家，想聘請老師。忽然，一個秀才來到門前自薦，主人請他進去。他談吐爽朗，兩人很快便相互賞識。秀才自稱姓胡，主人便送上聘禮，留他在家教書。胡先生教導學生很勤勉，學問廣博深厚，遠非一般讀書人可比。但他時常出遊，總要到天黑後才回來。那時門戶已經關得嚴嚴實實，也沒聽見敲門聲，他卻已在屋裡了。家裡人於是驚疑他是狐狸。不過，看出胡先生確實沒有惡意，主人仍厚待他、尊重他，並不因為這些怪異之處而失了禮數。
直隶有巨家，欲延师。忽一秀才，踵门自荐。主人延入。词语开爽，遂相知悦。秀才自言胡氏，遂纳贽馆之。胡课业良勤，淹洽非下士等。然时出游，辄昏夜始归；扃闭俨然，不闻款叩而已在室中矣。遂相惊以狐。然察胡意固不恶，优重之，不以怪异废礼。
直隶有一户大户人家，想聘请老师。忽然，一个秀才来到门前自荐，主人请他进去。他谈吐爽朗，两人很快便相互赏识。秀才自称姓胡，主人便送上聘礼，留他在家教书。胡先生教导学生很勤勉，学问广博深厚，远非一般读书人可比。但他时常出游，总要到天黑后才回来。那时门户已经关得严严实实，也没听见敲门声，他却已在屋里了。家里人于是惊疑他是狐狸。不过，看出胡先生确实没有恶意，主人仍厚待他、尊重他，并不因为这些怪异之处而失了礼数。
In Zhili there was a great family looking to engage a tutor. Out of the blue a licentiate came to the gate and offered himself. The master of the house invited him in. The man spoke frankly and with spirit, and the two took to each other at once. The licentiate gave his name as Hu. The master presented the customary gift and installed him as tutor. Hu was diligent in his teaching, and his learning was broad and deep, far above the common run of scholars. But he often went out rambling and did not come back until well after dark; the gates would be locked fast, no one heard a knock, and yet there he was in his room. The household began to whisper in alarm that he was a fox. Still, it was plain that Hu meant no harm, so the master treated him generously and with respect, and did not let anything strange about him stand in the way of courtesy.
胡知主人有女，求為姻好，屢示意，主人偽不解。一日，胡假而去。次日，有客來謁，縶黑衛于門。主人逆而入。年五十餘，衣履鮮潔，意甚恬雅。既坐，自達，始知為胡氏作冰。主人默然，良久曰：「僕與胡先生，交已莫逆，何必婚姻？且息女已許字矣。煩代謝先生。」客曰：「確知令媛待聘，何拒之深？」再三言之，而主人不可。客有慚色，曰：「胡亦世族，何遽不如先生？」主人直告曰：「實無他意，但惡非其類耳。」客聞之怒；主人亦怒，相侵益亟。客起，抓主人。主人命家人杖逐之，客乃遁。遺其驢，視之，毛黑色，批耳修尾，大物也。牽之不動，驅之則隨手而蹶，喓喓然草蟲耳。
胡先生知道主人有個女兒，想與他家結親，幾次流露出這個意思，主人都假裝不懂。一天，胡先生告假離去。第二天，有個客人登門，把一頭黑驢拴在門前。主人迎他進去。這人五十多歲，衣服鞋子鮮亮整潔，舉止安靜文雅。坐下後，他說明來意，主人才知道他是來替胡先生說媒的。主人沉默了很久，說：「我與胡先生已經是莫逆之交，何必再結成婚姻？況且小女已經許配了人家，請代我向先生致歉。」客人說：「我確知令愛還沒有許配人家，您為什麼拒絕得這麼堅決？」他再三勸說，主人始終不答應。客人臉上露出難堪的神色，說：「胡家也是世家，怎麼就不如您家了？」主人直截了當地說：「實在沒有別的意思，只是嫌他與我們不是同類。」客人聽了發怒，主人也發了怒，雙方越吵越兇。客人起身抓撓主人，主人叫家人拿棍子把他趕走，客人這才逃了。他留下的驢還在門外，大家一看，黑毛、尖耳、長尾，是個大牲口。牽它卻不動，一驅趕，它便隨著手勢蹦跳起來，原來只是一隻喓喓鳴叫的草蟲。
胡知主人有女，求为姻好，屡示意，主人伪不解。一日，胡假而去。次日，有客来谒，絷黑卫于门。主人逆而入。年五十余，衣履鲜洁，意甚恬雅。既坐，自达，始知为胡氏作冰。主人默然，良久曰：「仆与胡先生，交已莫逆，何必婚姻？且息女已许字矣。烦代谢先生。」客曰：「确知令媛待聘，何拒之深？」再三言之，而主人不可。客有惭色，曰：「胡亦世族，何遽不如先生？」主人直告曰：「实无他意，但恶非其类耳。」客闻之怒；主人亦怒，相侵益亟。客起，抓主人。主人命家人杖逐之，客乃遁。遗其驴，视之，毛黑色，批耳修尾，大物也。牵之不动，驱之则随手而蹶，喓喓然草虫耳。
胡先生知道主人有个女儿，想与他家结亲，几次流露出这个意思，主人都假装不懂。一天，胡先生告假离去。第二天，有个客人登门，把一头黑驴拴在门前。主人迎他进去。这人五十多岁，衣服鞋子鲜亮整洁，举止安静文雅。坐下后，他说明来意，主人才知道他是来替胡先生说媒的。主人沉默了很久，说：“我与胡先生已经是莫逆之交，何必再结成婚姻？况且小女已经许配了人家，请代我向先生致歉。”客人说：“我确知令爱还没有许配人家，您为什么拒绝得这么坚决？”他再三劝说，主人始终不答应。客人脸上露出难堪的神色，说：“胡家也是世家，怎么就不如您家了？”主人直截了当地说：“实在没有别的意思，只是嫌他与我们不是同类。”客人听了发怒，主人也发了怒，双方越吵越凶。客人起身抓挠主人，主人叫家人拿棍子把他赶走，客人这才逃了。他留下的驴还在门外，大家一看，黑毛、尖耳、长尾，是个大牲口。牵它却不动，一驱赶，它便随着手势蹦跳起来，原来只是一只喓喓鸣叫的草虫。
Hu knew that the master had a daughter and wanted to marry her. He hinted at it several times, but the master pretended not to understand. One day Hu took leave and went away. The next day a visitor called, tying a black donkey at the gate. The master met him and showed him in. He was over fifty, his clothes and shoes fresh and clean, his manner calm and refined. When they had sat down he stated his business, and it turned out he had come as a go-between for Hu. The master was silent a long while. Then he said, “Mr. Hu and I are already the closest of friends. What need is there for a marriage? Besides, my daughter is already promised. Please give Mr. Hu my apologies.” “I know for certain that your daughter is still waiting for a match,” said the visitor. “Why refuse so firmly?” He pressed the matter again and again, but the master would not agree. The visitor looked put to shame. “The Hu are an old family too,” he said. “Why should they be any less than yours?” The master told him plainly: “I mean nothing else by it. I only object that he is not of our kind.” At this the visitor grew angry; the master grew angry too, and the insults flew harder and faster. The visitor sprang up and clawed at the master. The master ordered his servants to drive him out with sticks, and the visitor fled. He had left his donkey behind. They looked it over: a big beast with a black coat, sharp-cut ears and a long tail. They pulled at it and it would not budge; they gave it a push, and it toppled over under their hands. It was only a chirping grasshopper.
主人以其言忿，知必相仇，戒備之。次日，果有狐兵大至：或騎或步，或戈或弩，馬嘶人沸，聲勢洶洶。主人不敢出。狐聲言火屋，主人益懼。有健者，率家人噪出，飛石施箭，兩相衝擊，互有夷傷。狐漸靡，紛紛引去。遺刀地上，亮如霜雪；近拾之，則高粱葉也。眾笑曰：「技止此耳。」然恐其復至，益備之。明日，眾方聚語，忽一巨人自天而降：高丈余，身橫數尺；揮大刀如門，逐人而殺。群操矢石亂擊之，顛踣而斃，則芻靈耳。眾益易之。狐三日不復來，眾亦少懈。主人適登廁，俄見狐兵，張弓挾矢而至，亂射之；集矢于臀。大懼，急喊眾奔鬥，狐方去。拔矢視之，皆蒿梗。如此月余，去來不常，雖不甚害，而日日戒嚴，主人患苦之。
主人想到雙方說過那些氣話，知道必然結了仇，便加強戒備。第二天，果然來了大批狐兵，有的騎馬，有的步行，有的拿戈，有的持弩。馬嘶人喊，聲勢洶洶。主人不敢出去。狐兵揚言要燒房子，主人更加害怕。有個勇健的人帶著家人吶喊著衝出去，投石放箭。雙方交戰，各有損傷。狐兵漸漸敗退，紛紛撤走，地上留下了一把刀，明亮得像霜雪。走近撿起，卻原來是一片高粱葉。大家笑道：「它們的本事也就這樣了。」不過，怕狐兵再來，還是加強了防備。第二天，眾人正聚在一起說話，忽然有個巨人從天而降，身高一丈多，身寬好幾尺，揮著一把像門板那麼大的刀，追著眾人砍殺。大家拿起箭和石頭亂打，巨人倒地死去，原來只是個草扎的人。眾人更加看不起這些狐狸。三天過去，狐兵沒再來，大家也稍稍鬆懈了。主人恰好上廁所，忽然看見狐兵張弓搭箭而來，朝他一通亂射，箭都紮在屁股上。他嚇得大聲呼喊，眾人趕來交戰，狐兵才退走。拔下箭來一看，全是蒿草的莖。這樣鬧了一個多月，狐兵來去沒有規律，雖然沒造成太大的傷害，卻逼得家裡天天戒備，主人深受其苦。
主人以其言忿，知必相仇，戒备之。次日，果有狐兵大至：或骑或步，或戈或弩，马嘶人沸，声势汹汹。主人不敢出。狐声言火屋，主人益惧。有健者，率家人噪出，飞石施箭，两相冲击，互有夷伤。狐渐靡，纷纷引去。遗刀地上，亮如霜雪；近拾之，则高粱叶也。众笑曰：「技止此耳。」然恐其复至，益备之。明日，众方聚语，忽一巨人自天而降：高丈余，身横数尺；挥大刀如门，逐人而杀。群操矢石乱击之，颠踣而毙，则刍灵耳。众益易之。狐三日不复来，众亦少懈。主人适登厕，俄见狐兵，张弓挟矢而至，乱射之；集矢于臀。大惧，急喊众奔斗，狐方去。拔矢视之，皆蒿梗。如此月余，去来不常，虽不甚害，而日日戒严，主人患苦之。
主人想到双方说过那些气话，知道必然结了仇，便加强戒备。第二天，果然来了大批狐兵，有的骑马，有的步行，有的拿戈，有的持弩。马嘶人喊，声势汹汹。主人不敢出去。狐兵扬言要烧房子，主人更加害怕。有个勇健的人带着家人呐喊着冲出去，投石放箭。双方交战，各有损伤。狐兵渐渐败退，纷纷撤走，地上留下了一把刀，明亮得像霜雪。走近捡起，却原来是一片高粱叶。大家笑道：“它们的本事也就这样了。”不过，怕狐兵再来，还是加强了防备。第二天，众人正聚在一起说话，忽然有个巨人从天而降，身高一丈多，身宽好几尺，挥着一把像门板那么大的刀，追着众人砍杀。大家拿起箭和石头乱打，巨人倒地死去，原来只是个草扎的人。众人更加看不起这些狐狸。三天过去，狐兵没再来，大家也稍稍松懈了。主人恰好上厕所，忽然看见狐兵张弓搭箭而来，朝他一通乱射，箭都扎在屁股上。他吓得大声呼喊，众人赶来交战，狐兵才退走。拔下箭来一看，全是蒿草的茎。这样闹了一个多月，狐兵来去没有规律，虽然没造成太大的伤害，却逼得家里天天戒备，主人深受其苦。
After the angry words that had passed, the master knew there would be a feud, and he put the house on guard. Sure enough, the next day a great army of foxes arrived, some mounted, some on foot, some with halberds, some with crossbows; horses neighed, men roared, and the din was fearsome. The master did not dare go out. The foxes shouted that they would burn the house down, and the master grew even more frightened. One bold fellow led the servants out with a yell; they hurled stones and loosed arrows, the two sides clashed, and both had wounded. Little by little the foxes gave way and drew off in a scatter. They had left a sword on the ground, bright as frost and snow; but when someone went up and picked it up, it was a sorghum leaf. Everyone laughed. “So that’s all they can do.” Still, fearing the foxes would come again, they kept a closer guard. The next day, as everyone was gathered talking, a giant suddenly came down from the sky, more than ten feet tall and several feet across, swinging a broadsword as big as a door and chasing people to cut them down. They all seized arrows and stones and pelted him wildly; he tottered, fell, and lay dead. He was only a straw man. After this they thought even less of the foxes. For three days the foxes did not come back, and everyone relaxed a little. The master happened to be in the privy when all at once fox soldiers appeared, bows drawn and arrows at the ready, and shot at him wildly; the arrows bristled in his buttocks. In great fright he shouted for the household to come running and fight, and only then did the foxes go. He pulled out the arrows and looked at them: they were all stalks of wormwood. It went on like this for more than a month, the foxes coming and going with no pattern. They did no great harm, but every day the house had to stand on guard, and the master was worn out with it.
一日，胡生率眾至。主人身出，胡望見，避于眾中。主人呼之，不得已，乃出。主人曰：「僕自謂無失禮于先生，何故興戎？」群狐欲射，胡止之。主人近握手，邀入故齋，置酒相款。從容曰：「先生達人，當相見諒。以我情好，寧不樂附婚姻？但先生車馬﹑宮室，多不與人同，弱女相從，即先生當知其不可。且諺雲：『瓜果之生摘者，不適于口。』先生何取焉？」胡大慚。主人曰：「無傷，舊好故在。如不以塵濁見棄，在門牆之幼子，年十五矣，願得坦腹床下。不知有相若者否？」胡喜曰：「僕有弱妹，少公子一歲，頗不陋劣。以奉箕帚，如何？」主人起拜，胡答拜。於是酬酢甚歡，前郤俱忘。命羅酒漿，遍犒從者，上下歡慰。乃詳問居里，將以奠雁。胡辭之。日暮繼燭，醺醉乃去。由是遂安。
一天，胡生率領狐兵前來。主人親自出去，胡生遠遠看見他，便躲進眾狐之中。主人呼喚他，他不得已才走出來。主人說：「我自認為沒有對先生失禮，為什麼要發動爭戰？」眾狐想放箭，胡生制止了它們。主人走近握住他的手，請他進原先住的書齋，擺酒招待，從容地說：「先生是個通達的人，應當體諒我。憑我們的交情，我難道不願意結親嗎？只是先生的車馬、房屋，多半與人間不同。小女柔弱，要她跟著您去，您自己也該知道行不通。況且俗話說：『瓜果沒熟就摘下來，吃著不合口。』先生這樣做，又能得到什麼呢？」胡生十分慚愧。主人說：「不要緊，舊日的交情依然在。您若不嫌棄我們這些塵世俗人，在您門下讀書的小兒子今年十五歲了，我願讓他做您家的女婿。不知您家有沒有年紀相當的女子？」胡生高興地說：「我有個小妹，比令公子小一歲，容貌也不算醜陋。讓她嫁過來操持家務，您看如何？」主人起身行禮，胡生也回了禮。於是雙方歡歡喜喜地相互敬酒，把先前的嫌隙全忘了。主人叫人擺出酒水，遍賞胡生的隨從，眾人上下都很歡喜。接著，他詳細詢問胡生的住處，準備送雁去訂婚，胡生卻不肯說。天黑後點起蠟燭繼續喝，直到醉得盡興，胡生才離去。從此家裡便安寧了。
一日，胡生率众至。主人身出，胡望见，避于众中。主人呼之，不得已，乃出。主人曰：「仆自谓无失礼于先生，何故兴戎？」群狐欲射，胡止之。主人近握手，邀入故斋，置酒相款。从容曰：「先生达人，当相见谅。以我情好，宁不乐附婚姻？但先生车马﹑宫室，多不与人同，弱女相从，即先生当知其不可。且谚云：『瓜果之生摘者，不适于口。』先生何取焉？」胡大惭。主人曰：「无伤，旧好故在。如不以尘浊见弃，在门墙之幼子，年十五矣，愿得坦腹床下。不知有相若者否？」胡喜曰：「仆有弱妹，少公子一岁，颇不陋劣。以奉箕帚，如何？」主人起拜，胡答拜。于是酬酢甚欢，前郤俱忘。命罗酒浆，遍犒从者，上下欢慰。乃详问居里，将以奠雁。胡辞之。日暮继烛，醺醉乃去。由是遂安。
一天，胡生率领狐兵前来。主人亲自出去，胡生远远看见他，便躲进众狐之中。主人呼唤他，他不得已才走出来。主人说：“我自认为没有对先生失礼，为什么要发动争战？”众狐想放箭，胡生制止了它们。主人走近握住他的手，请他进原先住的书斋，摆酒招待，从容地说：“先生是个通达的人，应当体谅我。凭我们的交情，我难道不愿意结亲吗？只是先生的车马、房屋，多半与人间不同。小女柔弱，要她跟着您去，您自己也该知道行不通。况且俗话说：‘瓜果没熟就摘下来，吃着不合口。’先生这样做，又能得到什么呢？”胡生十分惭愧。主人说：“不要紧，旧日的交情依然在。您若不嫌弃我们这些尘世俗人，在您门下读书的小儿子今年十五岁了，我愿让他做您家的女婿。不知您家有没有年纪相当的女子？”胡生高兴地说：“我有个小妹，比令公子小一岁，容貌也不算丑陋。让她嫁过来操持家务，您看如何？”主人起身行礼，胡生也回了礼。于是双方欢欢喜喜地相互敬酒，把先前的嫌隙全忘了。主人叫人摆出酒水，遍赏胡生的随从，众人上下都很欢喜。接着，他详细询问胡生的住处，准备送雁去订婚，胡生却不肯说。天黑后点起蜡烛继续喝，直到醉得尽兴，胡生才离去。从此家里便安宁了。
One day Hu himself came at the head of the troop. The master went out in person. Hu saw him from afar and hid among his followers. The master called to him, and Hu had no choice but to come out. “I believe I have never failed you in courtesy,” said the master. “Why have you made war on me?” The foxes made ready to shoot, but Hu stopped them. The master came up and took his hand, invited him into his old study, and set out wine for him. Then he said, unhurried, “You are a man of the world, sir; you will surely forgive me. Close as we are, how could I not be glad to join our families by marriage? But your carriages and horses, your houses and halls, are for the most part not like other people’s. If my frail daughter went to you, you yourself must see it could not work. Besides, as the proverb says, ‘Melons picked green are not good to eat.’ What would you gain by it?” Hu was deeply ashamed. “No harm done,” said the master. “Our old friendship stands. If you will not spurn us as creatures of the dusty world, my youngest son, your pupil, is fifteen this year. I should be glad to have him chosen as a son-in-law in your family. I wonder if you have anyone of a suitable age?” Hu was delighted. “I have a young sister, a year younger than your son, and not ill-favoured. Would she do to wait on him with broom and dustpan?” The master rose and bowed, and Hu bowed in return. Then they toasted each other with great good cheer, and the old quarrel was forgotten. The master had wine laid out and rewarded all of Hu’s followers, and high and low were happy and content. He then asked in detail where Hu lived, so that he could send the wild goose for the wedding. Hu declined to say. When night fell they lit candles and drank on, and Hu did not leave until he was quite drunk. From then on there was peace.
年余，胡不至。或疑其約妄，而主人堅待之。又半年，胡忽至。既道溫涼已，乃曰：「妹子長成矣。請卜良辰，遣事翁姑。」主人喜，即同定期而去。至夜，果有輿馬送新婦至。奩妝豐盛，設室中幾滿。新婦見姑嫜，溫麗異常。主人大喜。胡生與一弟來送女，談吐俱風雅，又善飲。天明乃去。新婦且能預知年歲豐凶，故謀生之計，皆取則焉。胡生兄弟以及胡媼，時來望女，人人皆見之。
一年多過去，胡生一直沒來。有人懷疑他當初的約定是空話，主人卻堅持等候。又過了半年，胡生忽然來了。互相問候之後，他說：「我妹妹已經長大了，請選個吉日，我送她來侍奉公婆。」主人十分高興，當即與他定下日期，胡生便走了。到了約定那天的夜裡，果然有車馬送來新婦。嫁妝十分豐厚，擺在屋裡，幾乎佔滿了整間屋子。新婦拜見公婆，溫柔美麗，遠勝常人，主人大喜。胡生和一個弟弟來送妹妹，兩人談吐都很風雅，又很能喝酒，直到天亮才離去。新婦還能預先知道年成的豐歉，因此家裡的謀生安排，都以她的判斷為依據。胡生兄弟和胡家老婦人時常來看望她，家裡人人都見過他們。
年余，胡不至。或疑其约妄，而主人坚待之。又半年，胡忽至。既道温凉已，乃曰：「妹子长成矣。请卜良辰，遣事翁姑。」主人喜，即同定期而去。至夜，果有舆马送新妇至。奁妆丰盛，设室中几满。新妇见姑嫜，温丽异常。主人大喜。胡生与一弟来送女，谈吐俱风雅，又善饮。天明乃去。新妇且能预知年岁丰凶，故谋生之计，皆取则焉。胡生兄弟以及胡媪，时来望女，人人皆见之。
一年多过去，胡生一直没来。有人怀疑他当初的约定是空话，主人却坚持等候。又过了半年，胡生忽然来了。互相问候之后，他说：“我妹妹已经长大了，请选个吉日，我送她来侍奉公婆。”主人十分高兴，当即与他定下日期，胡生便走了。到了约定那天的夜里，果然有车马送来新妇。嫁妆十分丰厚，摆在屋里，几乎占满了整间屋子。新妇拜见公婆，温柔美丽，远胜常人，主人大喜。胡生和一个弟弟来送妹妹，两人谈吐都很风雅，又很能喝酒，直到天亮才离去。新妇还能预先知道年成的丰歉，因此家里的谋生安排，都以她的判断为依据。胡生兄弟和胡家老妇人时常来看望她，家里人人都见过他们。
More than a year went by and Hu did not come. Some suspected the promise had been empty, but the master went on waiting for him. Half a year later Hu suddenly appeared. When they had exchanged greetings, he said, “My sister is grown up now. Please choose a lucky day, and I will send her to serve her husband’s parents.” The master was delighted; they fixed the date together, and Hu left. On the night, sure enough, a carriage and horses brought the bride. Her dowry was rich; set out in her room, it nearly filled it. When the bride came before her parents-in-law, she was gentle and lovely beyond the ordinary. The master was overjoyed. Hu and a younger brother had come to see her off; both talked with grace and wit, and both were good drinkers. They left at daybreak. The bride could also tell ahead of time whether the year’s harvest would be good or bad, so in all their plans for making a living the family followed her lead. Hu, his brother and old Mrs. Hu came often to visit her, and everyone saw them.